Panhandle Picks With Greg Lee

Talk about anticlimactic.

I beat the guests overall for a second straight year, but my cohort, Jim Meehan, beat yours truly for a second straight year I lost to the guest. In fact he gave me the worst lickin’ of the year. He felt the mercy rule should be invoked as he won by two games.

However, I beat him handily for the season.

We’ve worked out a trade. He’s going to cover the preps next year I’m going to cover the Vandals. Just kidding.

The final numbers show the Scribe at 65-18 (.783), Guests 59-24 (.711). Meehan finished 60-23 (.723).

This week we begin the state playoffs.

Sandpoint at Post Falls II: No you don’t need to clean your bifocals. This isn’t a reprint of last week’s game.

The State A-1 Division II playoffs begin Friday and Sandpoint, which fell to Post Falls 33-7 in a regular-season finale at Post Falls last week, turns around and travels to play the Inland Empire League champion Trojans a second straight week.

For a second straight week, too, the result will be the same. Sandpoint hopes to give a more competitive battle, but the Bulldogs can’t stop Post Falls.

Because it is the state playoffs figure on a lower-scoring game. Post Falls 20, Sandpoint 6.

Lewiston at Mountain Home: We expect to see a Post Falls-Lewiston rematch next week in the state semifinals.

The Bengals will have their hands full with a road game at Mountain Home. But Lewiston has too many weapons for the Tigers to defend. Lewiston 28, Mountain Home 14.

Emmett vs. St. Maries: The Huskies’ deceptive offense may give the Lumberjacks some problems early.

But by the time the clock has expired, Emmett will have gotten to know running back/linebacker Jason Hall up close and personal.

St. Maries’ balanced attack and physical defense will ultimately prevail over trickery. St. Maries 26, Emmett 13.

Lakeland at Weiser: These two teams have squared off six times since 1987 and the series is deadlocked going into the seventh meeting Saturday.

The Wolverines stole a win from the Hawks in last year’s playoffs. That’s on the minds of the Lakeland seniors.

Lakeland was favored to win that game, too. Weiser is heavily favored Saturday. A reversal of fortunes? Paybacks? Lakeland just doesn’t have enough offensive weapons to pull it off. But the Hawks will not go down without being heard from. Weiser 21, Lakeland 13.

A-4 eight-man games: Lakeside lost its playoff opener when it lost the tiebreaker with Mullan for seeding Monday.

The Knights, who have had a fine season, will find out how the quality of the North Star League has dropped off in recent years. Or perhaps the best way to say it is Deary’s program is enjoying a nice cycle of success.

Either way, it all adds up to a lopsided Mustang victory Saturday at the Kibbie Dome. In fact, Deary will institute the “mercy rule” … Deary 52, Lakeside 6.

Mullan earned the opportunity to win its playoff opener - against Council - as part of a doubleheader with Deary-Lakeside at the Kibbie Dome.

In what should be a high-scoring thriller, Mullan should prevail. That will set up a semifinal spanking at the hands of Deary. Mullan 48, Council 42.

, DataTimes